Man Arrested in Connection with Explosive Device that Spurred Shelter in Place Order

Police have arrested a man believed to be the owner of a homemade explosive device found at an unoccupied residence in Pittsburg on Sunday night that prompted a shelter-in-place order for area residents. Gregory Alexander, 52, was arrested Monday on suspicion of possession of a destructive device and for alleged weapons offenses, Pittsburg police Capt. Ron Raman said.

The arrest came a day after police found an explosive device consisting of several flares bound together with rifle rounds at a home in the 1500 block of Somers Street. The discovery prompted a shelter-in-place advisory for neighboring residents on Sunday night and the Walnut Creek Bomb Squad was called to discharge the device as a precaution. Raman said officers located Alexander on Monday and he admitted to possessing the explosive device.

The 52-year-old, who has a past felony conviction, was taken to county jail in Martinez where he is being held in lieu of $1.2 million bail. The police captain declined to discuss further details of the case, saying the investigation is ongoing. Police said Alexander had recently been evicted from the home but that his belongings were still there, including the homemade explosive device and a gun.